Obituary of Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer

Sergeant Mark C. Palmateer Sergeant Mark C. Palmateer of Wappingers Falls was killed in action on June 26, 2008 in the Logar Province of Afghanistan. He was 38. Son of Charles E. Palmateer and the late Marjorie E. Loop Palmateer, he was born on October 21, 1969 in Poughkeepsie. Mark joined the Army National Guard in 2003, fulfilling his felt duty to serve his country. During his service, he was previously assigned to Company C, 1st of the 69th Infantry. On his recent tour, he fought for his country with Troop B, 2nd of the 101st Calvary as a rifleman. Before he joined the service, Mark worked for Dunmore Corp. in Brewster for many years; he considered his fellow employees his second family. A family statement reads, "Mark "Loopi" was a person that all kids knew as "Uncle Mark" and all adults knew as a friend. He was always the life of the party, especially with children, and always knew how to bring a smile to your face. He would do anything for anyone and always went above and beyond as a friend and family member, especially a father. His relationship with his daughter was one of a kind that even distance could not come between them; he was always there when needed." In addition to his father Charles of Wappingers Falls, he is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Palmateer of North Creek; his sisters, Cathy Roule and her husband, Robert of Denham Springs, LA, Sue Spinner and her husband, Dean of Altona, Cindy Sumner and her husband, Kenny of Chelsea, and Margie Vail and her husband, Mike of Cortland; his brothers, Charles Palmateer and his friend, Wendy of Loraine, OH, Gary Palmateer and his wife, Lora of Highland, Christopher Palmateer and his wife, Becky of Warrensburg, and Michael Palmateer and his fianc�, Cheryl of Glens Falls; his step-mother, Jane Palmateer of Wappingers Falls and her children; his girlfriend, Tamara Martinez of Kingston; goddaughter, Nicole Meybohm of Poughkeepsie; godson, Brandon Palmateer of Highland; friend, Marci Meybohm and her husband, Matt of Poughkeepsie; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and extended family. Family will receive their friends on Thursday, July 10, 2008 from 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Additional parking with shuttle service will be available during visitation at Zion Episcopal Church, Satterlee Place in Wappingers Falls. A graveside service with full military honors will take place on Friday, July 11, 2008 at 12 noon at New Hurley Cemetery, Route 208 and New Hurley Road in Plattekill; interment will follow in the family plot. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mark's name to the Poughkeepsie Children's Home, 91 Fulton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, or a care package may be sent to his fellow soldiers: Commander in Charge c/o Troop B, 2nd of the 101st Calvary, PMT-D, FOB ORGUN-E, APO AE 09354. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.